Summer Training

What is Summer Training?

Summer training is often called “summer camp” by cadets. There are 23 Cadet Summer Training Centres (CSTC) across Canada, 3 of which are Sea Cadet Summer Training Centres (SCSTC), which we have shown below. Our cadets also have the opportunity to attend Army & Air Cadet Summer Training Centres for specialized courses.

General Information

Life at a CTC is structured to accomplish the training requirements of the courses being offered. The training day usually begins at 0600hrs and ends at 2000hrs. Cadets must be capable of adjusting to life at a CTC. Transportation, meals, and accommodation are provided. Cadets who successfully complete summer training will receive a training bonus based on $60 per week. Cadets will be notified of selection and transportation arrangements prior to departure.

Click here to access the application form for Summer Training.

The available courses are listed below, with a short description.

Course Layout

Courses Descriptions

This is generally the first course a cadet attends during their first summer at a Cadet Training Center (CTC). The aim of the training resulting from this course is to provide an introductory knowledge of the CTC environment and the training opportunities available. This training will provide cadets an opportunity to identify the specialty area that motivates them to persue further CTC training. The GT course is conducted over a two-week period consisting of 11 training days at HMCS Ontario. Cadets attending are between 12 and 13 years of age and have successfully completed Phase one.

Basic Drill & Ceremonial

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to prepare cadets to perform the role of a peer leader while building upon the leadership and drill and ceremonial knowledge and skills learned through the Corps Program. The Basic Drill and Ceremonial course is conducted over a three-week period consisting of 17 training days at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadets attending are between 13 and 14 years of age and have successfully completed Phase Two.

Basic Musician

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop the music proficiency of cadets and prepare them to support their corps bands and related music activities. The Basic Musician qualification course is conducted over a three-week period consisting of 17 training days at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadets attending are between 13 and 14 years of age and have an interest in and aptitude for music training. Cadets have not yet attained the Military Band – Music Proficiency Level Basic qualification and have successfully completed Phase Two.

Basic Sail

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop basic sailing skills to the Sail Canada CANSail Level 2 standard. The Basic Sail course is conducted over a three-week period consisting of 17 training days at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadets attending are between 13 and 14 years of age and have successfully completed Phase Two.

 

Basic Seamanship

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to build upon the basic seamanship skills learned through the corps program and better prepare cadets for more advanced seamanship training. The Basic Seamanship course is conducted over a three-week period consisting of 17 training days at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadets attending are between 13 and 14 years of age and have successfully completed Phase Two.

 

 

Drill & Ceremonial Instructor (DCI)

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop a specialist with the attitude, skills and subject matter knowledge required to be an instructor and team leader during drill and ceremonial activities. The Drill and Ceremonial Instructor course is conducted over a 6-week period consisting of 35 training days at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadets attending are between 14 and 15 years of age and have successfully completed Phase Three.

Intermediate Musician

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop the music proficiency of cadets and prepare them to support their corps/squadron bands and related music activities. The Military Band –Intermediate Musician qualification course is conducted over a six-week period consisting of thirty-five training days at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadets attending are between 14 and 15 years of age and have an interest in and aptitude for music training. Cadets have not yet attained the Music Proficiency Level One qualification and have successfully completed Phase Three.

Advanced Musician

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop the music proficiency of cadets and prepare them to support their corps/squadron bands and related music activities. The Military Band Advanced Musician qualification course is conducted over a six-week period consisting of thirty-five training days at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadets attending are between 15 and 16 years of age and have an interest in and aptitude for music training. Cadets have not yet attained the Music Proficiency Level Five qualification and have successfully completed Phase Four.

Intermediate Sail

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop more advanced sailing and basic power boating skills. Cadets attending shall have completed the Basic Sail qualification (or equivalent) and must have achieved CANSail Level 2. The Intermediate Sail course is conducted over a six-week period consisting of 35 training days at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadets attending are between 14 and 15 years and have successfully completed Basic Sail and have obtained CANSail Level 2; Cadet has successfully completed Phase Three.

Senior Sail

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop advanced sailing skills, become a qualified safety boat operator and complete Sail Canada CANSail Level 4, Sail Canada CANSail Level 5, Chutes and Wires Level 1 and have the skills required in becoming a sail instructor at HMCS ONTARIO. Cadet attending is 15 years of age (or older); Cadet has successfully completed Intermediate Sail (or equivalent) and has obtained CANSail Level 3 by no later than Week 4 of Intermediate Sail. The cadet actively participated in CANSail Level 4 training during weeks 5 and 6 of Intermediate Sail. Cadets attending have successfully completed Phase Four.

Advanced Sail

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop more advanced sailing and basic racing skills. Cadets attending shall have completed the Senior Sail qualification. The Advanced Sail course is conducted over a six-week period consisting of 35 training days at
HMCS ONTARIO. Cadet attending is between 16 and 17 years of age and has successfully completed Senior Sail (or equivalent) and has achieved CANSail 5 and Chutes and Wires Level 1. Cadet has successfully completed Phase Four.

Ship’s Boat Operator (SBO)

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop more advanced seamanship skills and obtain the qualification required to operate various small craft used within the Sea Cadet Program. The Ship’s Boat Operator course is conducted over a six-week period consisting of 35 training days at HMCS ONTARIO and HMCS QUADRA. Cadet attending is between 14 and 15 years of age and has successfully completed Phase Three.

Chief Boatswain’s Mate (CBM) (Not offered at HMCS Ontario)

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop more advanced seamanship skills and obtain the knowledge and skills required to act as Boatswain’s Mate onboard a Sea Cadet Training Vessel (SCTV) within the Sea Cadet Program. The Boatswain’s Mate course is conducted over a six-week period

Basic Fitness and Sports – 3 Weeks (Offered at Blackdown CTC) 

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to prepare cadets to perform the duties of a Basic Fitness and Sports Assistant while continuing to develop personal fitness and healthy living skills. The Basic Fitness and Sports course is conducted over a three-week period consisting of 17 training days at Blackdown CTC, located at CFB Borden, near Barrie Ontario. Cadets attending are between 13 and 14 years of age and have successfully completed Phase Two.

 

Fitness and Sports Instructor – 6 Weeks (FSI) (Offered at Blackdown CTC)

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop a fitness and sports specialist with the skills and subject matter knowledge required to perform the role of a Fitness and Sports Instructor and a team leader for fitness and sports activities conducted at the corps, during regionally directed activities and/or as a staff cadet at a Cadet Training Centre. The Fitness and Sports Instructor qualification course is conducted over a six-week period consisting of 35 training days at Blackdown CTC, located at CFB Borden. Cadets attending are between 15 and 16 years of age. And have successfully completed Phase 3. Cadets attending have an interest in and aptitude for fitness and sports training.

 

Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor (ARMI) (Offered at Connaught CTC)

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop the cadets’ individual air rifle marksmanship and summer biathlon specialty skills while reinforcing and further developing their leadership and instructional techniques skills preparing them to support these two specialty activities at the corps, CTC or during regionally and/or nationally directed activities. The Air Rifle Marksmanship Instructor qualification course is conducted over a six-week period consisting of thirty five training days at Connaught CTC, in Ottawa, Ontario. Cadets attending are between 15 and 16 years of age and have an interest in and aptitude for air rifle marksmanship and summer biathlon training. Cadets have successfully completed Phase Three.

 

Shipwright (HMCS Quadra only)

The aim of the training resulting from this course is to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to perform maintenance and repairs on small craft used at Cadet Training Centres and Cadet Nautical Sites. The Shipwright course is conducted over a six-week period consisting of 35 training days at HMCS QUADRA. Cadet attending is 15 to 16 years of age and has successfully completed Phase Four. Cadet has successfully completed Intermediate Sail, or Ship’s Boat Operator, or a combination of specialized training, to include;

(1)          Small Craft Operator Program (SCOP) Module 1;

(2)          SCOP Module 4; and

(3)          First Aid;

 

Staff Cadet (7 Weeks)

Attending a CTC as a staff cadet is typically done by cadets that have completed all years of a specialization/subject matter area, and involves instructing/leading course cadets attending a course. Staff cadets are not employees. Participation by the staff cadet during authorized CTC summer training (CATO 34-01) constitutes advanced training. Eligible cadets may apply to any Central Region CTC but must prioritize their choice. Staff cadets cannot be less than 16 years of age as of the first day of January of the year of advanced training. Staff cadets may be reassigned positions by the CTC CO to meet training requirements. Staff cadets generally arrive to the CTC 1 Week in advance of the start of course cadets, during which time they prepare lessons & training aids.

A large incentive for being a staff cadet is the training bonus incentive of $77+/day, significantly more than the $60/week bonus allocated to course cadets.